Brighton agrees to sign Mathew Ryan from Valencia for club-record fee

Mathew Ryan is heading to the English seaside.

Brighton & Hove Albion agreed Friday to sign Ryan from Valencia CF for a club-record fee, which wasn't specified. The Australian 'keeper will officially join the Seagulls on a five-year deal on July 1.

"I'm delighted that we've been able to attract Mathew to the club, and he will certainly be an excellent addition to the squad in time for our first season in the Premier League," Chris Hughton, Brighton's manager, said in a statement. "We're very much looking forward to working with him for the season ahead.

"For somebody of Mathew's age, he has very good experience, having played in the top divisions in Australia, Belgium, and Spain. He has also competed in European competition and made a number of appearances at international level."

After making just two appearances for Valencia in the first half of the 2016-17 La Liga season, one of which was a demoralising defeat at home to UD Las Palmas, Ryan joined KRC Genk on loan through June 30. The transfer marked the shot-stopper's second spell in Belgium, as he took the pitch at Club Brugge upon abandoning the A-League.

At the international level, Ryan is Australia's first-choice 'keeper. He appeared in all but one of the Socceroos' 2018 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian Football Confederation's third round so far, keeping three clean sheets.